Shield for bassinets and the like



Feb. 14, 1933.

, m/ Gttorneg 5 Patented Feb. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES EFFIE B. MCGILL, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO I SHIELD FOR BASSINETS AND THE LIKE Application led October 3, 1930. Serial N'o. 488,193.

Babies must, of course, have air but eX- treme care is important that they be not subjected to chilling drafts. Babies are particularly susceptible to coryza, pneumonia, throat, other pulmonary and nasal diseases. Infant mortality is high on account of ignorance or neglect of mothers or nurses in caring for them. It is also important that the babys eyes be shielded from the glare of intense lights.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily adjusted device whereby the baby can be more or less shielded from drafts and intense lights according as the particular circumstances may require.

The invention is embodied in the example herein described and shown in the accompanying drawing, the features of novelty be- 0 ing finally claimed.

In said drawing- Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a bassinet with the shield applied thereto so as to protect the occupied part thereof from all sides horizontally.

Fig. 2 is a similar View of a bassinet showing the shield drawn down at one side.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a bassinet showing the shield drawn down at one end.

Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 1 with the separable ends of the shield drawn apart.

Fig. 5 is a detail view on a larger scale of a fraction of the construction of the shield in respect of the pocket, at the upper or lower edge thereof with the elastlc tape.

Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the tabs with snap-buttons thereon for securing the shield at the top.

The bassinet is of ordinary construction,

having ends 10 and 10a and sides 11 and lli and a spring and stuffed mattress receiving frame 12 upon which the baby is deposited. Such a bassinet is usually provided with casters, not shown, so that it may be rolled about from place to place on the floor.

The shield is made of one or more strips of fabric in the form of a band open at the top and bottom and long enough to inclose the bassinet around its sides and ends. Parallel and adjacent to each of the two longitudinal edges of said fabric is formed by sewing a pocket 13 into which is threaded a piece of elastic tape 14 connected at its ends to make it endless. p This elastic tape, when unstretched, is sufficiently shorter than the distance around the bassinet to require stretching to cause it to embrace the bassinet and cling thereto to hold by friction the shield in the position placed. The fabric or body of the shield can be drawn at its ends on the two tapes to form an opening in the shield.

To secure the shield at the top and prevent it from being pulled down at one or both ends it has attached to it by stitches at suitable points a short like material 15 in the ends of which are complementary snap fastening members 16 and 16a. In practice these straps 16 and 16xiL are conveniently passed around the posts of the end portions of the bassinet above the side rails thereof and secured as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

In Fig. 1 the shield is shown as horizontally surrounding and ventirely inclosing the bed where occupied by the baby so that no horizontal drafts of air can flow across the baby. In Fig. 2 the shield is shown as drawn down at the side of the bassinetin which position it clings by friction. This is a suitable position in warm Weather when the child needs more air and when the draft comes from a definite quarter as from an open window or door.

In Fig. 3 the shield is shown as drawn down at one end in which position it clings by friction. In this position either the head or feet of the baby can be the more protected portions. In Fig. 4 the ends of the shield are shown as drawn asunder in which case the head and feet are protected.

piece of tape or other strap- The shield also affords an effective proteci tion to the eyes of the baby against the glare of light, it being in many cases important to do this. The shield can be adjusted in diverse ways other than as shown and to provide protection against both glare and drafts as may be ordered by a physician.

The fabric of the shield can be so tinted,

green; for exam le, so as to afford a natural and soothing co or for the eyes.

The forms of the parts can be changed without departing from the gist of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A shield for a bassinet having corner posts, said shield including a band of fabric o en at its top and bottom and to surround t e sides and ends of the bassinet and the corner posts thereof, said band containing a superabundance of material to surround said bassinet horizontally and an elastic means circumferentially embodied in the top and bottom margins of said fabric, said elastic material constituting a frictional means for yieldingly maintaining said shield or portion thereof in a desired position around said bassinet.

2. A shield for a bassinet .having corner posts, said shield including a band of fabric open at its top and bottom to surround the bassinet at its sides, ends and corner posts, said band being discontinuous, and continuous, circumferential frictional means at the top and bottom of said band to hold it in a desired vertical position on said bassinet, and tie means for attaching said shield at desired points to said bassinet at the top to permit drawing down of the shield at other points.

3. A shield for a bassinet having corner posts, said shield including a band of fabric open at its top and bottom and to surround said bassinet at its sides, ends and corner posts, and an elastic band circumferentiallj)T enclosed by a pocket in the top and bottom of said band, said band containing a superabundance of material for shielding said bassinet when in horizontal position whereby depression of the band at an end or side may be effected if desired.

4. A shield for a bassinet having corner posts, said shield including a discontinuous band of fabric open at its top and bottom and a. continuous elastic band pocketed in said fabric at its top and bottom margins, said elastic bands adapted to surround the bassinet and its corner posts, said fabric band being slidably adjustable on said elastic bands to provide the desired exposure of the interior of said bassinet.

EFFIE B. MOGILL. 

